Electric Fence? Yes or No? Opinions?

[CountryWolf07]

First off,
Please do not judge me. I am asking for opinions or advice about electric fences. We have 3 acres and we agree that we do not want to fence in a portion of the backyard. So, I know I am asking so I'm prepared for it. I was on a dog shelter group and they apparently slammed me because I asked about it, and they treated me like I am clueless on dogs and what it takes to own one and how to take care of one. The moderator actually deleted my thread and all I did was to be nice! Nuts. So I left and reported that group. They were actually preaching me on and on about how I shouldn't have a dog! Ridiculous, so I just thought of asking you guys because I have been part of PT for a long time. Please be nice? Remember, we are just talking about it, so we aren't sure yet! We do want to protect our dog, because it's family. It's not some 'property'. We just want to keep our dog safe. You know me! I'm responsible and all I care about is to keep our dog safe. Of course, if we do decide on it - we wouldn't use it until the pup is older!

[Taz_Zoee]

I've never used one, but I have heard of dogs getting past the barrier anyway. They learn the shock or whatever is temporary. So, IMO, it is not a fool-proof way to contain a dog. But as I said, it's just my opinion.

[pomtzu]

I've never used one, but I have heard of dogs getting past the barrier anyway. They learn the shock or whatever is temporary. So, IMO, it is not a fool-proof way to contain a dog. But as I said, it's just my opinion.

I've heard the same thing. It works for some, but not for others.

Good grief Rachel - I can't believe some people can be so ignorant. Of course everyone here knows you and that you are hardly a newbie when it comes to having a dog. I would really have been pi$$ed if they came at me like that.

[Karen]

It really depends on the dog in question. Some dogs, like huskies or any sight hound will tend to go right through it, being more focussed on the chase or the run than any minor pain. Beagles, too, will be so focussed on following the squirrel trail that they might not even notice it!

Other dogs will do just fine with it. I'd never leave a dog unattended with one - it does not stop humans from crossing the line and stealing or harming the dog, for example. But I know some dogs who do very well with it, and it is helpful for their family, as some of the yard is hilly, and some swampy, and trying to put an actual fence in would be nightmarish!

[snakemama]

My friend lives in a very hilly wooded area where putting in a "real" fence would be a pain. The electric fence he installed keeps two of his three dogs contained just fine. The third once has such a hardwired "chase" instinct that he will charge out of the fence after squirrels, so he's no longer allowed out without a lead.

[cassiesmom]

I've never used one, but I have heard of dogs getting past the barrier anyway. They learn the shock or whatever is temporary. So, IMO, it is not a fool-proof way to contain a dog. But as I said, it's just my opinion.

In the neighborhood where my brother and sister in law live, there are no fences between the houses. Some have rows of trees or shrubs. A small number do have fences enclosing a pool or for safety for an elderly parent or a special-needs child but the village only allows physical fences in certain situations. I know some of their neighbors have these fences but I don't know how effective they are.

[Freedom]

I don't like them as I don't use negative reinforcement; why would I WANT to shock my dog???

I know of only 2 people who used electric fence. In one case, the dog ran through it chasing a squirrel, was hit by a car and killed. In the other, a neighborhood dog got loose, came IN to the yard (nothing to stop him) and killed the family dog. So from the only 2 people I knew directly ( mean, not online friends but folks I know and knew the dogs) it was a disaster in both cases. A "real" fence is the way to go.

You can put it in yourself; you don't HAVE to enclose your entire yard if that is too costly. And depending on your dog, there are things you can do that are less expensive. We used the plastic coated fence, works fine with my pups. I did have to put in small plastic fence along areas of the bottom as mine tried to scoot UNDER it.

And if you do a 'real' fence, don't go cheap and create a nuisance for yourself. We put in 2 gates, one each end of the house, and thank goodness! I use both regularly, when mowing, fertilizing, water sprinklers, checking the house after storms etc. It was worth it for the extra gate.

[Asiel]

We had electric fencing for our property but to keep our horses in. We had 3 dogs at the time and they respected the fence, never went near it, maybe picked up from the horses that it was to stay away from. But...the neighbors dogs ran through that fence like it was a thread. So we replaced it with page wire .
I wouldn't use it for dogs with high prey drive, they would go through it without a thought if they took off after something.
I wouldn't use it on any dog myself, we have chain link for the dogs.
Little dogs could get a mighty zap from an e- fence, they might not want to go out in the yard after that.

[robinh]

I don't use one, but my old boss had the electric fence and two boxers. One of the boxers wouldn't go near it and the other one you could see him steeling himself up and running right through it. He had a really high prey drive and the fence meant nothing to him.

[Louie and me]

My neighbour had an electric fence to train their Schnauzer Victoria. Once she was trained to know her boundaries it was disconnected. It was fun to watch Victoria tearing down their driveway barking like crazy and coming to a sudden halt at the end knowing that was as far as she could go and this was years after the "fence" was removed.
I'm not sure I would use one in a situation were dogs were allowed out to run free all day because I would think there is no guarantee other dogs or animals wouldn't get in or the dogs figure out they could get out but then I wouldn't let a dog run free, unsupervised all day anyway.

[beeniesmom]

We've never had one but I understand why you would consider it. Having such a large property, a real fence would be so expensive. Maybe just have a dog run installed to the side of the house just for thier business? Beenie is fine with no fence or leash. She has always stayed in the back yard with me standing there supervising. She does her business and comes back, even with squirrels or bunnies within a few feet of her. Frankie on the other hand needs to be on a leash when outside. He's unpredictable and has a high prey drive. He'd take off after a bug if not on a leash and an electric fence would not stop him. Good luck in finding a solution.

[CountryWolf07]

Thanks guys! Hmmm, well I'm not entirely "sold" on the idea of having a electric fence - the idea of it makes me nervous, but Mike insists that it works well. His uncle/aunt had dogs and they had that, and it worked fine - but all dogs in his family were Labs and still Labs today. Half of those dogs do so well off leash that they are always close to you in the yard or in the backyard. I wonder, how the heck do you train a dog to stay with you in the yard and just know you can trust him/her? Mike has Dozer and he is always by your side, no matter what. You let him out, he does his business, then all he wants to do is to be by you and lay in the garage or in the yard. They even let him out and he'll "bark" at the door to be let in. I guess I'm just curious how that works, because I've never had a dog that did well OFF leash! LOL

[Alysser]

I have a sort of electric fence for our dining room. They are pods though, and Mikey has a collar which we don't use anymore. When we first got him, he kept peeing in the same spot in the dining room. My mom was NOT amused and wanted him out. He would be fine all day then pee in there. I had to do something fast so I used a shock collar. I was successful with it. He doesn't go near there anymore. But many dogs are not so lucky. I am not saying all dogs that have shock collars are going to turn aggressive, but I have seen the effects of negative reinforcement at work. I was lucky and in a desperate situation, but if I had to do it again I wouldn't. Positive reinforcement was new to me when I got Mikey and after the fact I tried it. Believe it or not that works a lot better, at least for me!

I would advise you to get a real fence rather then it being a gamble on your new dogs life. Rachel, I really don't think you'd misuse a shock collar like many do, and I know you are a responsible pet owner. No one's saying you have to fence in all 3 acres, just a certain amount. You can then work on recall training at home with him and maybe then you can have a good off-leash pup on your hands!

[Sowa]

I don't think I'd trust them. I'd be too worried the dog would get past it. Also other dogs/animals come into the yard that may not be friendly to my dog.

[CountryWolf07]

We'll see, I suppose. Of course I wouldn't misuse it. You all know me. We absolutely CAN NOT afford a real wood fence to fence in our backyard or even parts of it. Honestly, I'd love that, but not right now, it isn't in our budget.